Method for analyzing pure carbon

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods for analyzing a sample suspected to contain carbon, focusing on distinguishing physical from chemical forms of carbon. Techniques for both destructive and nondestructive analysis are explored.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using a spectrometer or mass-spectrograph to confirm the presence of carbon, indicating these methods are reliable.
  • Another participant proposes burning the sample in pure oxygen to test for carbon dioxide as a means of analysis.
  • A later reply questions the applicability of destructive methods for crystalline forms of carbon, such as nanotubes or graphene, and seeks nondestructive testing alternatives.
  • One participant elaborates on the use of a spectrometer by describing the process of shining light or particle beams on the sample and analyzing the resulting spectrum.
  • This participant also mentions using protons to identify elements in unknown samples, suggesting a specific technique for elemental analysis.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple methods for analyzing carbon, but there is no consensus on the best approach, especially regarding nondestructive testing for specific forms of carbon.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the sample's properties and the effectiveness of various analytical techniques, but these assumptions are not fully explored or agreed upon.

Guo Jia
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I have a sample on which I think carbon is formed physically but not chemically. What is an analysis technique to determine that there is carbon for sure?
 
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Welcome to PF;
You have a black deposit on something?
You can analyse it with a spectrometer - or a mass-spectrograph.
Either is pretty sure.

You could burn it in pure oxygen and test for carbon-dioxide... (bubble though lime water)
 
Simon Bridge said:
Welcome to PF;
You have a black deposit on something?
You can analyse it with a spectrometer - or a mass-spectrograph.
Either is pretty sure.

You could burn it in pure oxygen and test for carbon-dioxide... (bubble though lime water)

what about a nondestructive test for carbon that's in a more crystalline form like nanotubes, graphene, etc? just curious, since in this case, you cannot burn it, mass spec it, or anything like that.
 
You use a spectrometer like I said: you shine something on the sample, like light or some sort of particle beam, and examine the spectrum of either the reflected or transmitted beam.

I have used 2 and 4MeV protons to determine the elements present in an unknown sample.
 

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